WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018

District Health Boards have made a revised offer to NZNO nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants.

DHB spokesperson Jim Green says he’s pleased negotiations have produced an offer that the NZNO will take to its members with a recommendation to accept.

“We were pushed hard by the union to put together a package that met their members’ demands for action on safe staffing, as well as bringing the new top salary step for registered nurses and midwives into the term of the agreement.

“The key differences in this offer relate to the sequencing and timing of the elements.”

Mr Green says one of the key features of the revised offer is an increased commitment by DHBs to address the staffing and work issues raised.

“The offer contains $38M that DHBs will use to start recruiting additional staff immediately and they’ll work with NZNO locally on the areas where staff are most urgently needed.

“As well as reporting regularly to the Ministry which will monitor progress, DHBs have agreed a process for providing reports to NZNO members.

“DHBs also conceded the argument to bring forward the new RN7 top step so it will be within the new agreement and consistent with the pay scale for Registered Nurses and Midwives. DHBs are discussing the funding arrangements for this change with the Ministry of Health.”

Mr Green says recommendations by the Employment Relations Authority were part of the negotiations, but will not be released until an agreement has been ratified.

“What I can say is that the DHB offer goes further than the either the ERA or the Independent Panel suggested and ensures any agreement will apply from June this year instead of a fortnight after ratification.

“The new offer will now be put to nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants through online voting and I very much hope they will consider it favourably,” says Mr Green.

ENDS

© Scoop Media